Record-breaking success at For Kids' Sake art auction

CARBONDALE -- Local community members came together to support schoolchildren in Bangladesh at the hugely successful 18th Annual For Kids' Sake Art Auction Closing Celebration this past Friday.

The closing celebration kicked off with a variety of entertainment (including an unforgettable rendition of Dolly Patron's Jolene by 9-year-old Rosie Whiteford), a flurry of bids on children's art, and a flood of entries to win fabulous raffle prizes.

So far, For Kids' Sake supporters have contributed over $20,000 to the Art Auction, and donations are still being accepted. The local nonprofit extends special thanks to generous wall sponsors Foley and Denny Law Offices, Southern Illinois Healthcare, the Mahkdoom Family, the Teller Family, and several private donors.

These sponsors pledged to match the bids on select walls, doubling the impact of bids throughout the show. All proceeds from the Art Auction will help essential needs and education to over 550 orphans and 4,000 students in Bangladesh.

Area residents can still participate in the show by buying pieces in the For Kids' Sake Off-the-Wall Show at Longbranch now through May 21. The Off-the-Wall sale features authentic Bangladeshi textiles and vibrant paintings from the late Kamal Talukder, a deaf Bangladeshi artist who donated his art to support For Kids' Sake.

To make a donation or to learn more about For Kids' Sake, visit www.forkidssake.net or contact Shema at (618) 529-5044.